The PSCW approval clears the way for construction to begin on the 100 MW Grant County Battery Project and 75 MW Wood County Battery Project. They will be located alongside the company’s Grant County and Wood County solar sites. The integration of these battery systems with Alliant Energy’s utility-scale solar sites increases customer access to safe, reliable energy even when the sun isn’t out.

“We appreciate the PSCW’s approval of these cutting-edge battery energy storage systems that will enhance grid reliability and flexibility for our customers,” said David de Leon, president of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin energy company. “These projects are another step toward achieving our clean energy goals while enabling a more resilient and cost-effective energy future. We are excited to break ground on these innovative battery projects and look forward to the benefits and enhanced value these systems will deliver to our customers.”

Alliant Energy expects to begin construction on both battery projects in early 2024. The Wood County project in the town of Saratoga is expected to be operational by the end of 2024 while the Grant County project in the town of Potosi is expected to be operational by mid-2025. They will have the capacity to power over 80,000 homes for four hours and 100,000 homes for four hours, respectively. Alliant Energy selected FlexGen, a leading energy storage solution and software technology provider, to provide the energy management system and battery energy storage equipment.  

“Alliant Energy is one of the country’s most forward-looking and innovative utilities when it comes to energy storage and system reliability. These battery projects represent an incredibly important step toward creating a more intelligent and resilient grid,” said Kelcy Pegler, CEO of FlexGen. “Battery energy storage resources are the key to the future of our infrastructure, and FlexGen is proud to deliver industry-leading services and value to our partner Alliant Energy and the customers it serves.”

The addition of energy storage capacity aligns with Alliant Energy’s Clean Energy Vision, a comprehensive strategy to transition to cleaner, more efficient energy sources. These battery projects will complement Alliant Energy’s growing portfolio of renewable resources, improve energy reliability and help to achieve the company’s aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050.